Shropdoc replaced by new out-of-hours GP provider
BBCShropshire's out-of-hours GP service is to be provided by a different company, health bosses have confirmed.
The board of NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (NHS STW) approved the switch to HealthHero Integrated Care, formerly Medvivo, in place of doctors' co-operative Shropdoc.
The decision comes after a review into the proposal by an independent panel, which found the board had acted in accordance with regulations.
Health Hero said patient safety "is our highest priority", while Shropdoc maintained its "firm disagreement with the decision".
NHS STW first announced its intention to award the contract in February.
'Dedicated service'
NHS STW stated HealthHero had been approved as provider following a "transparent, fair, and proportionate procurement process", with the service expected to be fully in place by October.
Director of Commissioning for NHS STW Gemma Smith said its priority had been to secure a service delivering "the highest-quality care".
She thanked Shropdoc for "dedicated service", and said NHS STW would work closely with HealthHero to ensure a "smooth and well-managed" change.
Murri Smith, from Ludlow, has used Shropdoc a number of times, most recently for a bleeding ear.
She woke up in the middle of the night, her nearest A&E is in Shrewsbury and she was treated instead by a Shropdoc GP at her local community hospital in Ludlow.
Ms Smith said: "It's an essential. When you live so far away from a hospital and (it's) somebody who's disabled you need these things.
"They're not frills. They're necessities. Shropdoc is a necessity and I'm just scared to death.... I don't know what I'm going to do."
About 15,000 signed a petition this year over the issue.
Healthcare campaigner Gill George, from Shropshire Defend Our NHS, said: "Almost all local people will have used Shropdoc's services either for themselves, for a family member, a child, a parent, a partner and Shropdoc works.
"Shropdoc delivers and people are really, really scared by the prospect of losing that."
HealthHero said its "proven and effective model" had delivered high-quality out-of-hours care for more than 20 years, and was twice rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.
Dr Sue Lavelle, HealthHero medical director, said "local bases will remain in place, services will continue to be delivered by local clinicians, and palliative and end-of-life care will be maintained".
Getty ImagesShropdoc said it acknowledged the outcome of the process, but cited "significant concerns".
CEO Daniel Robinson stated: "As a not-for-profit social enterprise, it became exceptionally challenging to compete against larger, profit and shareholder-driven private entities within a process predominantly driven by cost."
He added while this marked a significant change for the GP out-of-hours service, Shropdoc "remains positive about its future" and it was committed to working collaboratively "to ensure a seamless and smooth transition"
Mr Robinson also said: "We are committed to building on our strong foundation, exploring new opportunities to serve our community, and continuing to thrive."
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